Thread-tensioning device



E. S. MEDEIROS THREAD, TENSININGy DEVICE Apr. 3, 1923. l1,450,559

Filed Jan. 91922 Patented Apr. 3, 1923.

UNITED ISTATES PATENT ortica.

EMYGDIO S. MEDEIB/OS, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T NEW BEDFORD TENSIONING DEVICES, INC., OF NEW BEDFORD,1VIASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION.

` THREAD-TENSIONING DEVICE.

Application led January 9, 1922. Serial No. 527,988.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EMYeDio S. Mnnnrnos, a citizen of the Republic of Portugal, residing at New Bedford, in the county of Bristol and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thread-Tensioning Devices; and I do dec-lare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description 'of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved thread 'tensioning device adapted for use in connection with spooling machines, it being the-principal object of the invention to generally improve upon devicesI of'this class by providing one which is such that it will enable the thread to be effectively and rapidly unwound from the bobbin and wound on the spool and will maintain the thread under 'the desired tension at all times to prevent tangling and'consequent unnecessary wastage resulting from such a condition.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a thread tensioning device of extreme simplicity which embodies a head having a groove or recess formed in its underface into which one end of a supporting bracket is received and held.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a thread tensioning device embodying the aforesaid grooved head, together with a comparatively small friction surface over which the thread is designed to pass anda weighted shoe for co-operation with this friction surface for holding the thread un*- der the desired tension and permitting free passage of knots and other irregularities in the'thread. v f

Other objects and advantages of the invention .Willfbe apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the'accompanying drawings forming a. part of this specificationv andl in'which like vnumerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:`

Figure l isa side yelevational view of a thread tensioning` device constructedin accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the lhead fand tensioning means associated therewith.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially onthe plane of the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Figures 4, 5 and Gare transverse sections taken on the lines 4 4, 5 -5 and 6-6 respectively of Fig. 2. y

In carrying out the invention, Ik make use of a substantially C-shaped bracket 1 provided with a s indle 2' to accommodate the bobbin 3. A jacent this spindle, the bracket is formed with means 4 which is adapted to engage a table or other suitable support. Referring to the upper end of the bracket, it will be `seen that it is considerably widened as at 5 and this widened portion is reduced in thickness 'and width at its end to provide a reduced extension 6 and to simultaneously provide a shoulder 7. By carefully examining this shoulder, it will be seen that it is undercut as indicated to serve a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

(3o-operative with the extension 6, is the thread-tensioning means which comprises a suitably shaped head 9 having a iiat upper side and formed `in its underface with a lgroove 10 in which the extension is received.

It may be stated 'here that the inner end of the head which abuts the aforesaid undercut shoulder is beveled for co-action with this undercut. It may also ybe mentioned that the extremity of the head is beveled as indicated at ll for'co-action with'theadjacent undercut wall of the recess.' By carefully reviewing the head, it will be seen that it is bifurcatedat its outer end as indicated at l2 and this bifurcation is enlarged considerably at its inner end as indicated atl?) and the edge of this enlargement is rounded as indicated at'14 to provide a smooth surface over which the thread is drawn. At their outer ends, the furcations are linclined toward eachother as at 15 to facilitate positioningA of the threadvbetween'thel furcations.

As before indicated, this headisprovided with means for placingthe thread under tension as it is unwound from the bobbin and in its preferredform, the ymeans comprises an integral yraised .annular Afriction surface 16 fornied on the upper side of the head adjacent the opening 13. At the center of'this friction surface,y the-head'isforrned with a screw-threaded. hole through which the reduced screw-threaded send .17 of fthe vertically disposed .guide pin ,18 extends, the lower end Yoff this reduced Yend .exten-ding. vinto a screw-threaded socket formed in the upper face of the aforesaid extension. (2o-operative with this friction surface is a ring-like shoe 19 which surrounds the pin 18 and is vertically slidable thereon. One or more metal washers or weights 20 surround the pin and bear on the shoe to hold the latter in engagement with the thread. By referring to Figs. 4t and 5, it will be seen that the upper end of the guide pin is directed laterally as indicated at 21 to pro fide a handle for turning the pin to remove it and to provide a shoulder for limiting the upward movement of the washers and shoe. t is yet to be pointed out that a suitably designed thread guide Q2 is connected with the head and is arranged in the position shown so as to cause the thread to be effectively guided between the friction surface and shoe and to prevent the latter from being lifted and rendering it ine'ective. it will now be understood that as the thread is Wound onto the s pool from the bobbin, it will be at all times held under tension by the movable shoe which presses it against the friction surface and tends to hold it taut. Any numloer of washers may be employed for nia-king the shoe heavy or light to eXert the required tension on the thread. Consequently, it will be seen that the spooling operation can be carried out more effectively and rapidly ancl it will also be seen that a greater amount of thread can be wound on a spool. Furthermore, there will be little or no waste of the thread by removing tangled Aand knotted portions, because the thread-tensioning device will prevent such tangling.

Although it is not absolutely essential, 1 prefer to form the head. friction surface and annular shoe of porcelain.

By carefully considering' the description in connection with the drawings. persons familiar with devices of this class will doubtless be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention. Therefore, a more lengthy and detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

Since probaly the best results may be obtained with the construction and arrangement herein shown and described. this is taken as the preferred embodiment of the invention. However. I wish it to be understood that minor changes coming within the scope of the invention as claimed may be re- `sorted to if desired.

I claim: f

1. A thread-tensioning device comprising a bifurcated head, between the furcations of which thread is adapted to pass, said head being formed on its upper face with a raised integral ring-like friction surface against which the thread is drawn, a` stationary guide pin rising from the center of said friction surface and having its upper end directed laterally to form a shoulder, and a weighted annular shoe surrounding said pin for co-action with said friction surface.

2. A thread tensioning device of the class described including an elongated head having a flat upper face, said head being bifurcated at its outer end and being formed in its under face with a groove, said head being also formed on its upper face at the inner end of the bifurcations with a substantially annular friction surface.

3. A thread-tensioning device comprising a supporting bracket having at its upper end a. reduced extension, at the inner end of which is a shoulder7 a head having a groove in its underside removably receiving said extension, the inner end of said head beingI arranged in abutting relation with said shoulder, and thread-tensioning means cooperative with said head.

t. A thread-tensioning device comprising a supporting bracket having a reduced extension at its upper end, a head having a groove in its underside removably receiving said extension, said head being bifurcatcd at its outer end and the thread being adapted to be positioned between the furcations, said head being formed on its upper face with an integral annular friction surface, a. guide pin passing through the central portion of said friction surface and connected with said extension for holding the head on the latter, and a thread-engaging shoe slidable on said guide and co-operative with said friction surface.

5. A thread-tensioning device comprising an elongated head having a flat upper face. said head being bifurcated at its outer end and being formed in its underface with a groove, said head being also formed on its upper face at the inner end of the bifurcation with a substantially annular friction surface. and being also formed at the center of said friction surface with a. screw-thread` ed hole. a guide stein having a reduced threaded end passing through said hole and rising from the center of said friction surfacey the upper end of said guide stem being formed with a shoulder, and an annular thread-engaging shoe loosely surrounding said pin and co-operative with said friction surface.

6. rThe structure set forthin claim 5, together with a supporting bracket having at its upper end a reduced extension at the inner end of which is a.4 shoulder, said extension beinmreceived and secured in said groove and the inner end of said head being arranged in abutting relation with said shoulder. I

In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand.

EMYGDIO S. MEDEIROS. 

